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Portuguese substitute Silvestre Varela grabbed a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw with the United States in World Cup Group G on Sunday.
Just as it looked as though the Americans had secured a come-from-behind victory to qualify for the second round, Varela scored with a flying header from a Cristiano Ronaldo cross.
Clint Dempsey had given the United States the lead in the 81st minute, steering the ball home with his stomach from close range.
Portugal had taken an early lead and then sat back in the heat and humidity, allowing the Americans to start dominating.
It was little surprise when midfielder Jermaine Jones cut in from the left in the 64th minute and fired in a superb right- foot curling shot from 25 metres to equalise.
The result means the US are in second place, level with Germany on four points, and Portugal are third with one and face a tough task to make the next round.
"When you concede in the last second it is unfortunate, but it was an amazing game from us, I can't ask for any more," said US coach Juergen Klinsmann.
The Americans face Germany in the final game and need a point to ensure qualification.
"We will take even more confidence into the next game. It will be another final but that is what the World Cup is about," said Klinsmann.
Portugal took the lead in the fifth minute when US defender Geoff Cameron swung a foot at a Miguel Veloso cross and succeeded only in slicing the ball across his own area right to the feet of Nani who scored easily.
The Portuguese played slowly, appearing to try to conserve energy in the tough conditions. The temperature in the Amazonia arena was 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) at kickoff with a humidity reading of 65 per cent.
Portugal nevertheless looked capable of scoring again and Nani hit the left-hand post in the 45th minute from outside the area.
The ball rebounded to Eder but his looping shot was brilliantly scooped over the bar by US goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Portugal started with Ronaldo, who has been trying to shake off a knee injury. He only shone fitfully against the Americans, leaving the best until last.
FULL TIME
USA 2 (Jones 64" Dempsey 81") Portugal 2 (Nani 5" Varela 90+5")
90+5" GOAL! Silvestre Varela gets the equaliser for Portugal with less than 30 seconds remaining heading home a beautiful cross from Ronaldo.
Bradley loses the ball in midfield and Ronaldo rewrites the script with a perfect cross for Varela to keep deny United States and keep alive Portugal's hopes.
90+1" US make another substitution as Zusi makes way for Gonzalez.
90" There are five minutes of added time.
89" Ronaldo heads wide after a fantastic ball from Moutinho.
87" Dempsey is substituted by Chris Wondolowski.
USA 2 (Jones 64" Dempsey 81") Portugal 1 (Nani 5")
81" GOAL! Dempsey has put United States in front for the first time virtually bundling the ball into the net with his body off a rebound from a Bradley shot.
Jones plays a great ball in for Johnson on the right, he crosses it from the byline. It's deflected, but right to Bradley at the penalty spot.
Bradley's shot falls to Zusi who crosses it for Dempsey to chests the ball into an empty net.
Dempsey becomes the only US player to have scored in three World Cups.
75" YELLOW! Jones is the first player to be booked after a crunching challenge on Moutinho.
72" US makes a substitution with Alejandro Bedoya making way for DeAndre Yedlin.
69" Portugal make another change with Silvestre Varela coming on for Raul Meireles.
USA 1 (Jones 64") Portugal 1 (Nani 5")
64" GOAL! Jermaine Jones has got the equaliser for United States.
Another wonder goal as Jones sidesteps Nani before firing into the far corner.
US midfielder Jermaine Jones celebrates after scoring during a Group G match between USA and Portugal at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 22, 2014. (AFP)
62" Ronaldo breaks and slices his shot wide from ten yards out.
58" US are pressing hard with Johnson sending another cross into the box which is just out of the reach of Bradley.
56" Costa makes a goal line clearance after Johnson gets behind the line and crosses to Bradley whose shot from six yards is hacked away by the defender.
54" US win a free kick which they take quickly and starts a counter attack but the ball gets stuck under Bradley's feet slightly as he tries to play Dempsey through on goal.
50" Johnson gallops along the right and nearly catches Beto out at the near post.
48" Another poor clearance by Cameron off a cross from Nani allows Eder a strike at goal. His volley sails over the bar.
46" Second half underway with Portugal making a change as William is on for Almeida.
HALF-TIME
USA 0 Portugal 1 (Nani 5")
45" Howard makes a brilliant save. Nani's long range shot comes off the post and Eder attempts to chip the rebound over Howard who is out ofhis line but the Everton goalkeeper recovers superbly to tip it over. Ronaldo heads over the corner.
43" Portugal slice open the US defence with a counter attack. Ronaldo finds Nani open on the right but Howard saves. Ronaldo fires the free kick high and wide.
37" Ronaldo finally has a shot at goal but it is a tame effort which is collected comfortably by Howard.
33" Portugal launch an attack only to find Ronaldo standing in an offside position.
31" The US are firing on all cylinders. Some pinged midfield passes lead to Bradley dummying for Dempsey, who turns and charges to the left. He feeds Johnson whose pile driver from 25 yards is just wide.
29" Dempsey backheels to Bradley who shoots from the edge of the box just wide of the far post.
27" Another chances for US as Costa blocks a shot from Dempsey forcing a corner but Nani clears it to safety.
24" Bradley lets fly from just outside the area after Jones squaes him the ball. It's very close.
20" Dempsey gets a ball over the top and shoots low and hard. Beto saves. Zusi takes the corner, which comes to Dempsey at the far post. He tries to chip the ball back over the keeper from close range without success.
17" Portugal are forced to make a substitution as striker Helder Postiga is limping. Eder comes on.
14" US nearly get the equaliser but Dempsey's free kick goes just over the bar.
12" Fabian Johnson surges down the left and wins a corner. Zuzi hits it to the near post and Portugal clear easily.
9" This the first goal conceded by United States in seven of their last 10 World Cup matches
USA 0 Portugal 1 (Nani 5")
5" GOAL! Portugal find the net early as the Manchester United's Nani puts Portugal in front pouncing on a defensive lapse.
The US fluffs an easy clearance and Nani collects it six yards out on the right. He stutters, Howard dives, and he slams it home.
4" The US tries to find Dempsey long and wide on the left. He's on his own and can't make anything of it. Portugal goal kick.
2" Ronaldo gets his first touch and the crowd roars before passing the ball out of bounds.
United States get the match underway.
US are in white, Portugal in red.
Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio failed to recover from a thigh injury with coach Paulo Bento calling up Beto for their second World Cup Group G game against the United States on Sunday.
Forward Cristiano Ronaldo has recovered sufficiently from a knee injury and starts.
Bento made three other changes from Portugal's opening 4-0 defeat by Germany.
Central defender Ricardo Costa was selected or the suspended Pepe while Andre Almeida took the place of injured left back Fabio Coentrao.
Up front Helder Postiga replaces Hugo Almeida, who came off hurt in the first half of the Germany game.
For the United States, midfielder Graham Zusi comes in on the left wing for forward Jozy Altidore, who suffered a hamstring injury in the 2-1 win over Ghana.
The team is otherwise unchanged.
Teams for Sunday's 2014 World Cup Group G match between United States and Portugal at the Amazonia arena, Manaus.
TEAMS
United States: 1-Tim Howard; 23-Fabian Johnson, 5-Matt Besler, 20-Geoff Cameron, 7-DaMarcus Beasley; 15-Kyle Beckerman, 4-Michael Bradley, 13-Jermaine Jones, 19-Graham Zusi, 11-Alejandro Bedoya; 8-Clint Dempsey
Substitutes: 2-DeAndre Yedlin, 3-Omar Gonzalez, 6-John Brooks, 9-Aron Johansson, 10-Mix Diskerud, 12-Brad Guzan, 14-Brad Davis, 16-Julian Green, 17-Jozy Altidore, 18-Chris Wondolowski, 21-Timmy Chandler, 22-Nick Rimando
Portugal: 22-Beto; 21-Joao Pereira, 13-Ricardo Costa, 2-Bruno Alves, 19-Andre Almeida; 4-Miguel Veloso, 8-Joao Moutinho, 16-Raul Meireles; 7-Cristiano Ronaldo, 23-Helder Postiga, 17-Nani
Substitutes: 1-Eduardo, 5-Fabio Coentrao, 6-William Carvalho, 9-Hugo Almeida, 10-Vierinha, 11-Eder, 12-Rui Patricio, 14-Luis Neto, 15-Rafa Silva, 18-Silvestre Varela, 20-Ruben Amorim
Referee: Nestor Pitana (Argentina)
PREVIEW
Cristiano Ronaldo is all set for his second chance to shine in Brazil when pointless Portugal attempt to get their World Cup campaign back on track against Juergen Klinsmann's United States in sultry Manaus on Sunday.
Despite rumours swirling around the internet about the condition of his left knee, the World Player of the Year is expected to start the Group G encounter against an American side chasing a win which would earn them a last 16 place.
Manaus police boost security
Brazilian police boosted security around the Manaus stadium on Sunday ahead of the World Cup Group G game between the United States and Portugal, bringing in extra officers and even a water cannon.
Almil David, commander of the local military police, said his men were also working with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Authorities expect around 20,000 US fans in Manaus for the game. The stadium has hosted two World Games so far without a hint of trouble.
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